All Questions
188 questions
55
votes
13
answers
128k
views
How can we optimize a monk (especially for offense)?
I have complaints from someone in one of my groups that the 3.5 monk isn't good for anything offensive, only for defense and disarming (defenestration wasn't mentioned).
My experience has only been ...
- 967
40
votes
6
answers
52k
views
Does ki count as magic for the purpose of an antimagic field, or is it only fluff?
I was verifying whether my fighter's Sun Blade would in fact be a useless hilt in an antimagic field (AMF) and came across this question on a few other sites, and it piqued my interest.
My first ...
- 2,245
32
votes
4
answers
115k
views
How does Mage Armor interact with Unarmored Defense?
If a character with the Unarmoured Defence class feature casts Mage Armour, what is their AC? Do they choose which 'base' AC they take, or do they stack somehow? Is there rules text that explains ...
- 48.9k
22
votes
6
answers
22k
views
Can I use a full attack and natural attacks in the same round?
I'm playing a 7th level monk variant in D&D 3.5e and I'm a werewolf. The variant has a 1 for 1 BAB. (level 1 = BAB+1) If I'm in hybrid form, Can I make my 2 standard attacks followed by 2 claws ...
- 265
18
votes
6
answers
164k
views
What are the restrictions of an unarmed strike?
What are the global restrictions of making an unarmed strike? As it is considered a weapon, I suppose one must have a "hand free" to "punch". However, there are some gray areas I can't find any ...
- 783
25
votes
1
answer
4k
views
If a monk reduces damage to 0 using Deflect Missiles, does the attack still hit?
If a monk catches an arrow, does the attack still hit?
The monk's feature Deflect Missiles says:
you can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon ...
- 76.1k
28
votes
5
answers
23k
views
Can monk move between his extra and bonus attacks?
There are clean rules for moving between actions and between attacks granted by those action (e.g. a fighter with four attacks can move between them freely).
But the monk's Flurry of Blows feature is ...
- 657
28
votes
5
answers
32k
views
Does a monk's Unarmored Movement speed increase apply to the fly speed gained from a Fly spell?
A monk's Unarmored Movement class feature increases the monks speed by 10 feet at level 2, and further at higher levels. According to this tweet by Jeremy Crawford, this stacks with an Aarakocra monk'...
- 383
24
votes
6
answers
52k
views
Can a Druid/Monk make unarmed strikes while Wild Shaped?
Can a Druid/Monk who is Wild Shaped perform Unarmed Strikes?
- 373
13
votes
4
answers
14k
views
Must a monk's Flurry of Blows attacks occur after the initial (and extra) attack from the Attack action?
Looking at the wording of Flurry of Blows, I may be overthinking it, but the description of the feature (PHB, p. 78) says:
Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ...
- 1,658
41
votes
7
answers
88k
views
Can unarmed strike work with a rogue's sneak attack?
So a situation came up last night where a player with a monk/rogue was flanking (I use the optional flanking rules to grant advantage) an enemy. He was armed with a shortsword, but even with advantage,...
- 80.8k
18
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Does Pathfinder significantly fix known problems with the Monk class?
As a somewhat follow up to this question re. unarmed strike, I'm wondering:
Does Pathfinder significantly fix the monk class (this, and other potential well known class issues)? Specifically *:
...
- 6,129
11
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Are a monk's fists considered weapons for the purpose of being targeted with weapon-empowering spells?
I've read that a monk's fists are considered monk weapons. Does that enable a paladin to cast Holy Weapon on a friendly monk?
For clarification, I am not asking if an unarmed attack is a weapon ...
- 1,283
34
votes
9
answers
13k
views
Do monks know when they are charmed?
A Monk with the Stillness of Mind feature can use their action to end one effect on themselves which is causing them to be charmed or frightened.
By virtue of having this ability, does the Monk know ...
- 37.6k
33
votes
2
answers
19k
views
Does using an Animated Shield count as 'wielding a shield' for Unarmored Defense?
Does using an Animated Shield count as 'wielding a shield' for Unarmored Defense? Specifically, would using it inhibit a monk's unarmored defense?
And does the Animated Shield require proficiency ...
- 1,169
30
votes
3
answers
69k
views
Does using versatile weapons with 2 hands disqualify them as Monk weapons?
When using either the quarterstaff or spear as a Monk weapon, do you still gain the unarmed bonus action from Martial Arts if using 2 hands(1d8)?
On pg.78 of the PHB under Martial Arts it states ...
- 815
25
votes
5
answers
130k
views
How can I increase my Monk's unarmed damage?
I'm pretty new to D&D, and I just started an Evil campaign. I am a wood elf, Chaotic Neutral aligned, 3rd level Monk(Open Hand).
Our party has a couple of barbarians, a few rogues, and a ...
- 271
12
votes
1
answer
75k
views
While using Wild Shape, do I use Unarmored Defense or the creature's Armor Class?
I have a multi-classed Monk/Druid, and let's say I wild shape into a Giant Eagle.
Will I have an AC of 13 (specified in creature statistics), or will I have an AC of 15 (10 + Dex (+3) + Wis (+2))?
...
user20767
43
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Can a monk, falling with an enemy they have grappled, use their slow fall ability to reduce their falling damage and not that of the enemy?
This came up as a controversial topic at my table with a player creating a Zangief playstyle.
The player uses an aarakocra monk that flies up with a grappled enemy, then ends his movement to fall to ...
- 958
19
votes
8
answers
11k
views
How can I roleplay multiclassing to explain new class features?
A nice broad question to set the scene
I'm fairly new to roleplaying and I'm struggling with a valid reasons for both why and how a character would multiclass into another class independently - that ...
- 2,821
17
votes
1
answer
12k
views
Does the Jump spell stack with the monk's Step of the Wind ki ability?
Inspired by this question, I wonder about the Monk feature (PHB p. 78):
Step of the Wind
... Your jump distance is doubled for the turn
And the jump spell (PHB p.254):
Jump
... the creature's jump ...
- 216k
15
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Does a Monk/Druid multiclass character's Unarmored Movement add to their speed while in Wild Shape?
Does a Monk/Druid multiclass character's Unarmored Movement feature add to their speed while in Wild Shape?
Starting at 2nd level Monk, they have +10 speed, but does this bonus apply when they are in ...
- 8,020
15
votes
2
answers
25k
views
How does a Tabaxi or Tortle Monk's claws affect monk unarmed attack damage?
Do the claws of Tabaxi and Tortles change the unarmed attacks of monk to slashing damage, or is the damage separate? Does the unarmed slashing damage increase with the monk's level, as described on ...
- 445
12
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Brass knuckles on a Monk in Pathfinder
I recently created an Unchained Monk, and I wanted to see what kinds of advancement I would have in the damage department. I want the character to be focused on unarmed combat, but I wasn't sure ...
- 223
11
votes
8
answers
10k
views
Can a monk's unarmed strikes be enchanted?
I see a lot of forums calling for Kensai and Amulet of Mighty Fists for a monk to enchant their unarmed strikes. I feel it is unnecessary since the SRD states:
A monk’s unarmed strike is treated ...
- 18.1k
37
votes
6
answers
8k
views
Can a Monk "turn off" the Tongue of the Sun and Moon feature?
The description of the monk's Tongue of the Sun and Moon feature states:
Starting at 13th level, you learn to touch the ki of other minds so
that you understand all spoken languages. Moreover, ...
- 2,593
30
votes
10
answers
127k
views
Is there any way to see through the Darkness spell without removing it?
Simply put, the Shadow Monk gains the ability to cast the Darkness spell, but I'm struggling to see a use for it except as concealment during an escape.
Way of the Shadow monk receives Darkness (among ...
- 41.2k
30
votes
4
answers
47k
views
Are Monks proficient with unarmed strikes by default?
I can't find anything in the PHB that actually says that Monks are proficient with unarmed strikes by default. Their Proficiencies list just says simple weapons and shortswords. Their Martial Arts ...
- 3,284
28
votes
3
answers
18k
views
Is Drunken Master really as bad as everyone says?
So, when I see someone faulting the Drunken Master, it's typically because of what the character gets at level 1:
Drink Like a Demon (Ex): A drunken master's body handles alcohol differently from ...
- 1,029
26
votes
4
answers
20k
views
Would a monk with the Tavern Brawler feat have improvised weapons count as monk weapons?
Would a monk with the Tavern Brawler feat have improvised weapons count as monk weapons?
It states in the monk's Martial Arts feature (PHB, p. 78) that:
At 1st level, your practice of martial arts ...
- 269
17
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Would the Four Elements monk be balanced with more disciplines and cantrips?
So I've just started watching the Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series (it's quite a few years old now, but I've never watched it before), and immediately I am reminded of the Way of the Four ...
- 80.8k
17
votes
6
answers
32k
views
How do I make a tanky Monk?
I do have some experience with D&D 3/4, but 5 is pretty much new territory for me. Now, from what I can remember, monks used to be kind of an inbetween pick - not the worst, but not really shining ...
- 403
17
votes
2
answers
31k
views
With the Deflect Missiles monk feature, does the player know the damage of the attack before choosing to deflect?
The monk's Deflect Missiles feature description says (PHB, pg. 78):
Starting at 3rd level, you can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack.
I ...
- 7,307
16
votes
3
answers
6k
views
As a monk, can I use Deflect Missiles to intentionally catch a projectile?
The description of the monk's Deflect Missiles feature says:
[...] you can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack.
If the attacker misses with ...
- 70.8k
15
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Can a lizardfolk monk use their bonus action to make an unarmed strike using their Bite trait?
I'm gonna be playing my very first D&D game pretty soon and I'm really excited. I'm playing a Lizardfolk monk, and I just finished my character sheet, but I was confused about something.
We're ...
- 151
13
votes
1
answer
9k
views
Does Mage Armor count as armor for the monk's class features?
Does Mage Armor counts as armor in the sense of Monk's Martial Arts or Unarmored Movement requirements? Both features require you to not be wearing armor. (I already know that Mage Armor and Unarmored ...
- 657
12
votes
4
answers
12k
views
Is there any monk-compatible light armor?
I'm searching for armor that does not prevent a monk from getting his bonuses. I do not care if the armor has 0 armor bonus, because I'm interested only in enchantments. It should contain some kind of ...
- 1,734
12
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Does Resistance combine with Deflect Missiles and make it easier to throw it back?
I have a character playing a multiclass Barbarian/Monk. Does the resistance from rage combine with Deflect Missiles to negate the damage and make the reaction attack?
- 1,241
10
votes
2
answers
34k
views
Can a monk combine Martial Arts with Dual Wielding?
I want to get a clearer ruling of unarmed strike. The way I've read/imagined it is using any part of a humanoid creature's body to hit something else. Fists, kicks, elbows, knees, headbutts, whatever. ...
- 103
10
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How to decide which of my intended classes to start as when multiclassing in D&D 5e?
I'm putting together a Shadow Monk/Assassin Rogue character concept for a new game of D&D 5e but I have little experience with multi-classing. So, what should I consider when deciding which class ...
- 2,821
9
votes
4
answers
18k
views
How much movement does a monk need to run up and stand on top of a 50-foot wall?
Whilst perusing the 5e PHB for the first time, I came across the Monk. And just like every other class, after I finished reading all of the Monk Features, I thought to myself WOW This class is Amazing,...
- 7,138
9
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is the longest distance a 13th-level monk can jump while attacking on the same turn?
Context
During last session in a game that I GM, the party got ambushed by NPC monks leaping from the trees. They were hiding high up in very big Sawtooth Oak Trees, then jumped in a horizontal ...
- 10.1k
8
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Would the AC from a Sorcerer's Draconic Resistance combine with a Monk's Unarmoured Defence?
Reading from the Player's Handbook. If you pick a Sorcerer with the Draconic Bloodline you get a base AC of 13 (as long as you wear no armour, page 102). If you multi-class that with a Monk you get ...
- 2,220
7
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Can any Attack action by a monk trigger Flurry of Blows?
Reading over the Monk I saw that for Martial Arts:
When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.
This ...
- 6,714
7
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Can I mix monk traditions? [duplicate]
I'm wanting to mix archetypes (traditions) for my monk. I'm wanting specifically the 3rd and 17th level feats from Way of the Open Fist and the 6th and 11th level feats from the Way of the Shadows. I ...
- 87
7
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Can an unchained monk take archetypes?
I'm interested in making a zen archer monk and was wondering if I could actually build a zen archer unchained monk. Is it allowed? From the Pathfinder SRD on the unchained classes:
Finally, with ...
- 523
7
votes
2
answers
716
views
Can a wereraven Way of Shadow monk cast Darkness while in raven form?
In my ongoing Curse of Strahd game,
The question has arisen about what spells a wood elf Way of the Shadow Monk would have access to in the various wereraven forms.
In the humanoid (wood elf) form, ...
- 58.2k
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Monk casting Electric Arc from Wisdom
I have this character concept, an Archer Monk, that uses the the first action for Flurry of Blows then Electric Arc from the other two, because that does not care about MAP1.
To make it work with Ki ...
- 65.9k
6
votes
1
answer
10k
views
How does Flurry of Blows interact with the Multiple Attack Penalty?
As a monk, I can make a Flurry of Blows action that lets me make two unarmed strikes with one action. According to the Multiple Attack Penalty section,
The second time you use an attack action during ...
- 48.9k
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is an unchained Monk able to use flurry of blows if he uses claws?
Reading through the unchained rules I didn't find a mentioning anywhere so is an unchained Monk able to use flurry of blows in combination with claws?
- 8,249